Circuit controller



, Invenov a John F. mme,

by 2V MWL,

Hi Attowheg.

Patented Jan. 1.9, 19.37

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Application December 11, i935, serial No. 53,934

7 Claims.

My invention relates to circuitcontrollers, more particularly to circuit controllers of the type adapted to control large values of' current and which. are provided with switch members operable between open and closed circuit positions with a snap action, and has for an object the provision of a simple, reliable, and inexpensive.

` the switch member to its closed circuit position with a snap action. The circuit controller described in my above referred to application is also provided with resilient means adapted to be stressed upon an initial movement ofthe switch member toward open circuit position and with means responsive to this initial movement for suddenly decreasing the energization of the electromagnet, whereupon the last-mentioned resilient means operates the switch member to the open circuit position with a snap action. Means are also disclosed in my above referred to application for operating a plurality of such circuit controllers between open and closed circuit positions in predetermined sequence.

While the circuit controller disclosed in my above referred to application is entirely suitable for controlling large values of current, I have found that in particular installations, a false operation of certain of the controller units in incorrect sequence may be obtained by an improper manipulation of the operating handle. For example, certain types of battery driven vehicles are provided with a single driving motor having a plurality of field windings. In order to accelerate the vehicle, the motor armature is first connected in series circuit relation with both of the field windings and a suitable current limiting resistance. Thereafter the curront limiting resistance is cut out of the cir.

cuit in Apredetermined steps and finally the field windings of the motor are connected in parallel circuit relation with each other. When circuit controllers of the type disclosed in my above refeired to application are applied to the control of a circuit of this type, it has been found that an improper manipulation of the controller handle may cause a .false operation of the control units, so as to connect the motor armature in series circuit relation with only one of the field windings, whereby the speed of the vehicle is increased to an indesirably high value. Accordingly, it is a further object of my invention to provide interlocking means for a circuit controller of this type, which interlocking means prevents operation of the control units in improper sequence.

In carrying out my invention in one form, I provide a plurality of control units of the above type arranged to be operated by a common operating member. Upon movement of the operating member to its first position, one of the control units is operated to its closed circuit position with a snap action. Further movement of the operating member is effective to apply to another of the control units a biasing force tending to move the other control unit to its closed circuit position. Interlocking means are provided, however, between these two control units, which means prevent operation of the other control unit in accordance with its bias so long as the, one control unit is in its closed circuit position. Upon a predetermined further movement of the operating handle, however, a third one of the control units is operated to its closed circuit position, and means are provided responsive to closure of the third control unit for releasing the one control unit, whereupon the bias onthe other control unit becomes effective to operate the other control unit to its closed circuit position and to operate the one control unit to its open circuit position through the interlocking means. Movement of the operating handle in an opposite direction from its final position is effective to operate the other control unit and the third control unit to their respective open circuit positions, and the interlocking means thereupon is released to permit reclosure of the one control unit.

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference should now be had to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of a circuit controller embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the circuit connections by means of which the circuit controller shown in Fig. 1 controls the cnergization of a suitable electric motor.

Referring now to the drawing, I have shown my invention in one form as applied to a circuit controller comprising a plurality of independently operable control units I0, Il, I2, I3, and il, respectively, which are arranged to be operated in predetermined sequence by an operating shaft Il having an operating handle Il and suitable positioning means comprising a toothed segment I1 which is secured to the shaft Il and arranged to engage a roller Il carried by a pivoted arm Il and biased into engagement with the segment I1 by means of a spring 20. Any suitable means may be provided for insulating the control units from each other, but I prefer to form the shaft II of suitable insulating material.' Each of the control units II, I3, and Il is identical with the control units described and claimed in my above referred to application, and accordingly. the control unit Il only will be described in detail.

As shown, the control unit II comprises an operating electromagnet 2| which is arranged between a pair of magnetizable blow-out plates 22 arranged to support a pair of fixed contacts 23 and 2l. A third tlxed contact 25 is supported between the ends of the blow-out plates 2! in spaced relation thereto, and suitable co-operating movable contacts Il, 21, and 28 are provided on a movable switch member 2l for co-operation with the fixed contacts 2l, 24. and 25, respectively. As shown, the switch member 2l is resiliently supported on an operating arm 3| by means oi a lost-motion connection comprising a pin 3| and a slot l! and by means of a spring which surrounds a pin 3l, the lower end of which extends through the operating arm 3l and is connected to the switch member 2l. The operating arm 80 is loosely mounted on the operating shaft Il for pivotal movement with respect thereto, and a coll spring Il surrounding the operating shaft Il is arranged with one end engaging the operating arm Il and the other end engaging a stop member il rigidly secured to the shaft Il. Thus, the coil spring 3l serves to bias the operating arm Il for movement toward the closed circuit position when the operating shaft is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. As shown, the operating arm Il is provided with an extending nger 31 which is arranged to be engaged by the stop nnger Il positively to move the operating arm n toward open circuit position when the operating shaft Il is rotated a predetermined amount in a clockwise direction.

Ihe control unit I2 is identical in'construction with the control unit Il in so far as the arrangement of its operating electromagnet 3l, its pole plates 40, its fixed contacts II, l2, and Il, its movable contacts Il. Il, u, and its switch member l1 is concerned. Likewise, the operating arm Il is identical with the operating arm l of the control unit II, and the switch member l1 is supported on the operating arm by means of an identical lost-motion connection comprising a pin Il and a slot 50 and a spring 5I. I'he operating arm Il of this control unit, however, is normally biased to its open circuit position by a coil spring I3 which surrounds the shaft I! with its respective ends engaging the operating arm 4l and a suitable stop member Il carried by the shaft Il, the upper end of the stop member 54 being provided with a U-shaped leaf spring 5l arranged to engage a finger BI extending from the operating arm ll to determine the initial position of the operating arm Il and the switch member 41.

Similarly, the control unit I0 is in some respects identical with the control unit I I, being provided with an operating electromagnet 51, blow-out plates Il, xed contacts", u, and 6I,

co-operating movable contacts l2, Il, and Il, and a bridging member Il resiliently supported from an operating. arm I6. As shown. however, this operating arm is normally biased to an open circuit position by a spring B1, one end of which engages a suitable stop member il carried by the shaft I5, and the operating arm Il is provided with a pair of extending nngers Il and 1l. the finger B9 being arranged to engage the stop member 68 and the finger 10 carrying a post 1| which extends through a suitable aperture in a second stop member 12 carried by the shaft Il. Surrounding the post 1I, is a coil spring 1I, the opposite ends of which respectively engage the finger and the stop member 12. This spring 1t, in co-operation with the spring I1, determines the initial open circuit position of the operating arm It and the switch member II.

Arranged to co-operate with the control units Ill and Il, I provide interlocking means comprising a lever 1l which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a fixed pin 1l and provided with extending fingers 1l and 11, the finger 16 being arranged to engage the finger 31 on the operating arm of the control unit II, and the finger 11 being arranged to engage the extending ilnger I9 on the operating arm Il of the control unit Il.

.In Fig. 2, I have shown the circuit connections by means of which thecircuit controller shown in Fig. 1 controls the connections of a driving motor. This driving motor comprises an armature 18 and a pair of field windings 19 and III arranged to be connected in energizing relation with a pair of current limiting resistors 82 and 83 and with a source oi' energy such, for example, as a battery 8l. As shown, the control units III to Il, inclusive, are arranged on the operating shaft I5 to be closed and opened in predetermined sequence, the interlocking means preventing improper sequential operation of the control units III and II in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. It is now believed that a complete understanding of my invention will be had from a description of the operation as a whole.

In the drawing, the circuit controller is shown in its off or open circuit position, and accordingly, the driving motor is de-energized. In order to initially energize the driving motor and to sccelerate the vehicle (not shown) with which the driving motor is associated, the operating handle I5 is first moved in a counterclockwise direction from the oi! position to its first operating position in which the roller Il engages the notch I of the positioning segment I1. Movement of the handle I 6 and the consequent movement of the shaft I5 to this position is effective to stress the spring of the control unit II, so as to move the switch member 29 toward the closed circuit position. As is more fully described in Amy above referred to application, this initial movement of the switch member 29 is efi'ective to engage the movable contact 21 with the fixed contact 24 and as shown in Fig. 2, closure of these contacts is effective to energize the operating winding 2|, whereupon the switch member 2l is magnetically operated to its closed circuit position with a snap action, so as to engage the contact 28 with the contact 23. Consequent to the closure of these contacts, an energizing circuit is established for the driving motor which extends from the battery 8i through the armature 18, the conductors 8l, l5; the resistance l2, the conductor It, the

field windings 19, the conductors 81 and 88 through the control unit by way of the contacts 26 and 23 and the operating electromagnet 2|, and by way of. the conductors 89 and 98, the field winding 88 and the conductors 9| and 92 to the other side of the battery. It will thus be seen that the field windings 19 and 88 are connected in series circuit relation with each other and with the resistance 82, and accordingly, the driving motor begins slowly to accelerate.

. In order further to accelerate the driving motor of the vehicle, the operating handle I6 of the controller is moved to its second position, as indicated by the reference numeral 2 on the positioning segment I1, and the consequent movement of the shaft I5 is effective to establish a circuit through the control unit I4, the operation of the control unit |4 to its closed circuit position being identical with the above described operation of the control unit I|. As shown in Fig. 2, closure of the control unit I4 is effective to connect the resistance 83 in parallel circuit relation with the resistance 82, thereby decreasing the effective resistance in circuit with the armature 18 and the field windings 19 and 88. This parallel circuit through the resistance 83 may be traced from the conductor 85 which is connected to one side of the resistance 82, through the resistance 83, the engaging contacts of the controller I4, and the conductors 93 and 94 to the conductor 86, which is connected to the other side of the resistance 82.

The vehicle now accelerates to a speed which is determined by the value of the resistance connected in the motor circuit and in order further to accelerate the vehicle, the operating handle I6 is moved to its third position, indicated by the reference numeral 3 on the positioning segment II. 'Ihis movement of the handle I6 rotates the shaft I5 so as to effect closure of the control unit I3 and, as shown in Fig. 2, closure of the control unit I3 is effective to short-circuit the resistances 82 and 83, so as to connect the field windings 19 and 88 directly in series circuit relation with each other and with the armature 18 and the battery 8|. The energizing circuit of the motor may now be traced from the positive terminal of the battery through the armature 18, the conductors 84 and 95, the co-ntrol unit I3, the conductors 98, 94, and 86, the iield winding 19, the conductors 81 and 88, the control unit II, the conductors 89 and 98, the field winding 88 and by way of the conductors 9| and 92 to the negative side of the battery.

In order further to accelerate the vehicle, it is now necessary to connect the iield windings 19 and 88 in parallel circuit relation with each other by closing the control units I8 and I2 and opening the control unit II. It will be apparent that as the operating shaft i6 has been moved through its first three positions, the stop finger 54 on the control unit I2 has been moved to urge the operating arm 48 of the control unit I2 toward its closed circuit position. Likewise, the stop members 68 and 12 of the control unit I8 have been moved to compress the spring 13 so as to bias the operating arm 66 and the switch member 65 of the control unit I8 towards the closed circuit position. Operation of the control unit |8 to the closed circuit position in accordance with its bias, however, is prevented by the interlocking lever 14, the finger 18 of which is engaged by the nger 31 of the control unit II when in the closed circuit position, so as to rotate the lever 14 about its pivot to a position in which the finger 11 engages the finger 89 of the operating unit I8.

Operation of the control unit I2 to its closed circuit position is not restrained bythe interlocking lever, and accordingly, movement o! the operating handle I6 to the fourth position, indicated by the reference numeral 4 on the positioning segment I1, is effective to operate the control unit I2 to its closed circuit position, the control unit I8 being restrained in its open circuit position by the interlocking lever 14.

As shown in Fig. 2, closure of the control unit I2 which is connected between the conductors 96 and 98 establishes a short circuit around the control unit II and the iield winding 19, so as to produce a sudden decrease in the energization of the operating magnet 2| of the control unit Momentarily, therefore, the energizing circuit for the motor extends from the positive side of the battery through the armature 18, the conductors 84 and 95, the control unit I3, the conductor 96a, the control unit I2, the conductors 91 and 98, the field winding 88 and by way of the conductors 9| and 92 to the negative side of the battery. It will be understood that the resistance of the eld winding 19 and the operating coil 2| of the control unit Il is several times greater than the resistance of the operating coil 39 of the control unit I2, and accordingly, only a very small current will fiow through the electromagnet 2| immediately following the closure of the control unit I2.

As soon as the holding force exerted by the electromagnet 2| decreases, the bias exerted by the spring 'I3 of the control unit I8 becomes predominate and is eil'ective to operate the control unit I8 to the closed circuit position and to rotate the interlocking lever 14 in a direction to operate the control unit Il to its open circuit position.

Consequent to the closure of the control units I8 and I2 and the opening of the control unit I I, the iield windings I9 and 88 are connected in parallel circuit relation with each other, and accordingly, the vehicle accelerates to its predetermined maximum speed. The energizing circuit of the motor may now be traced from the positive side of the battery 8| through the armature 18, the conductors 84 and 95 and by way of the control unit I3 to the junction point 98. At this junction point 98. the current divides. part of it flowing through the conductors 96, 94 and 86 to the field Winding 19 and through the conductor 81, the control unit I8 and the conductor 89 to a junction point |88, the other part of the current flowing through the conductor 96a, the control unit I2, the conductors 91 and 9!) to the eld winding 88 and through the conductor 9| to the junction point |88. From the junction point |88, the combined current iiows by way of the conductor 92 to the negative terminal of the battery.

It will be apparent that with the controller in its fourth position, the vehicle is operating at its maximum speed and if it is desired to decrease the speed of the vehicle it is necessary to open the control units I8 and I2 and to close the control unit II, so as to reconnect the field windings 'I9 and 88 in series circuit relation with each other, This may be accomplished by rotating the operating handle I6 in a clockwise direction from the fourth position to the third position.

As the shaft I5 rotates in a clockwise direction in accordance with this movement of the handle I6, it will be apparent that the spring 53 of the control unit I2 will be stressed, and the stop nember B4 will engage the ilnger 56 to rotate the operating member 48 in a clockwise direction. As fully described in my above referred to application. the magnetic iorce tending to hold the switch member 41 in its closed circuit position is greatest adjacent the contacts 4l and 42. Accordingly, as the operating member 4l rotates, the switch member 41 pivots about this pair of contacts. and the spring Il is stressed by movement of the operating arm 4I relative to the switch member. Rotation of the switch member about the contacts 4I and 42 is effective to engage the contact 46 with the contact 42, and, as shown in Fig. 2, these contacts complete a short circuit about the major portion of the operating coil 39. Accordingly, the magnetic holding-force exerted on the switch member 41 is suddenly decreased and the switch member is operated with a snap action to its open circuit position by the springs ll and 53.

Similarly, the control unit III is operated to its open circuit position by rotation ci the shaft Il in a clockwise direction and it will be apparent that as the operating arm I6 of the control unit Il moves in a clockwise direction, the interlocking lever 14 will be released i'or movement and the spring 2i of the control unit I I will thereupon move the operating arm n and the switch member 2l toward closed circuit position. Inasmuch as movement of the control unit I2 to its open circuit position has removed the short circuit from around. the operating electromagnet 2|, the switch member 2l will be operated to its closed circuit position with a snap action in the manner hereinbeiore described.

It will thus be apparent that as the operating handle Il is moved between its third and fourth positions, the control units lil, Il, and I2 will be operated between their open and closed circuit positions in a predetermined sequence, the mechanical and electrical interlocking means preventing improper sequential operation oi these units.

While I have shown a particular embodiment oi' my invention it will be understood o1 course that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made and I, therefore, contemplate by the"appended claims to cover any such modiiications as fall within the true spirit and scope oi my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: r

1. A circuit controller system comprising an operating member, a plurality of switch members independently movable between open and closed circuit positions, means responsive to a predetermined movement oi said operating member for operating one of said switch members to closed circuit position, means responsive to a predetermined further movement of said operating member for biasing another of said switch members toward its closed circuit position, interlocking means for preventing closure of said other switch member while said one switch member is in closed circuit position, means responsive to said further movement of said operating member for operating a third one ofl said switch members to closed circuit position,` and means including said biasing means and said interlocking means for operating said one switch member to its open circuit position and said other switch member to its closed circuit position in response to closure of said third switch member.

75l 2. A circuit controller system comprising an operating member sequentially movable to a plurality o! positions, a plurality of switch members independently movable between open and closed circuit positions, means responsive to movement of said operating member to one position for operating one oi said switch-members to closed circuit position, means responsive to movement of said operating member to another position for biasing another switch member toward its closed circuit position, interlocking means i'or preventing closure oi' said other switch member while said one switch member is in closed circuit position, means responsive to said movement oi said operating member to said other position for operating a third one oi' said switch members to closed circuit position, means including said biasing means and said interlocking means for operating said one switch member to its open circuit position and said other switch member to its closed circuit position in response to closure of said third switch member, means responsive to return movement of said operating member from said other position toward said one position for operating said other switch member and said third switch member to their respective open circuit positions, and means responsive to said operation of said switch members to said respective open circuit positions for operating said one switch member to its closed circuit position.

3. A circuit controller system comprising an operating member, a plurality of switch members independently movable between open and closed circuit positions, resilient means responsive to a predetermined movement of said operating member for operating one oi said switch members towards closed circuit position, an operating electromagnet associated with said one switch member, means responsive to movement of said one switch member toward closed circuit position for energizing said electromagnet to operate said one switch member to closed circuit position with a snap action, means responsive to a predetermined further movement of said operating member i'or biasing another of said switch members toward closed circuit position, interlocking means for preventing closure of said other switch member while said one switch member is in closed circuit position, means responsive to said further movement of said operating member for operating a third one oi.' said switch members to closed circuit position, and means responsive to. closure oi said third switch member for decreasing the energization of said electromagnet whereupon said biasing means operates said interlocking means to eil'ect movement o! said one switch member to its open circuit position and to permit ciosure of said other switch member.

4. A circuit controller system comprising an operating member sequentially movable to a plurality of positions, a plurality oi' switch members, resilient means responsive to movement of said operating member to said one position for operating one ol' said switch members toward closed circuit position, an operating electromagnet associated with said one switch member, means responsive to said operation of said switch member toward closed circuit position for energizing said electromagnet to operate said one switch member to closed circuit position with a snap action. means responsive to movement of said operating member to another position for biasing another of said switch members toward closed circuit position, interlocking means for preventing closure of said other switch member while said one switch member is in its closed circuit position,

means responsive to said movement of said operating member to said other position for operating a third one of said switch members to its closed circuit position with a snap action, means responsive to closure of said third switch member for suddenly decreasing the energization of the operating electromagnet associated with said one switch member whereupon said biasing means and said interlocking means co-operate to eiIect movement of said one switch member to its open circuit lposition with a snap action against the force exerted by said resilient means and to eiect movement of said other switch member to its closed circuit position with a snap action, means responsive to return movement of said operating member from said other position for operating said other switch member and said third switch member to their respective open circuit positions, and means including said electromagnet and said resilient means for operating said one switch member to its closed circuit position upon operation of said other switch member and said third switch member to said open circuit positions.

5. In a control system having a plurality of control devices each of which includes a switch member, resilient means for initially moving said switch member toward closed circuit position, and electromagnetic means energizable' in response to said initial movement for operating said switch member to closedcircuit position with a snap action, the combination of an operating member movable to a plurality of positions to stress said resilient means and thereby cause operation of said switch members to said closed circuit positions in predetermined sequence, interlocking means responsive to closure of one of said switch members for maintaining another of said switch members in open circuit position against the bias exerted by its associated resilient means, and means responsive to closure of a third one of said switch members for suddenly decreasing the energization of the electromagnet associated with said one switch member, whereupon the bias exerted on said other switch member is effective to close said other switch member and is effective through said interlocking means to open said one switch member.

6. In acontrol system having a plurality of control devices, each of which includes a switch member, resilient means for initially moving said switch member toward closed circuit position, and electromagnetic means energizable in response to said initial movement for operating said switch member to said closed circuit position with a snap action, the combination of an operating member movable to a plurality of positions sequentially to stress said resilient means and thereby cause sequential operation of said switch members to their respective closed circuit positions, an interlocking lever arranged to be moved from one position to a second position in response to operation of one of said switch members to closed circuit position, means including said interlocking lever in said second position for maintaining another of said switch members in its open position against the bias exerted by its stressed resilient means, means responsive to closure of a third one of said switch members for suddenly decreasing the energization of the electromagnet associated with said one switch member, the bias on said other switch member thereupon becoming effective to operate said interlocking lever to its first position and to close said other switch member, and means responsive to operation of said interlocking lever to said rst position for operating said one switch member to its open circuit position against the force exerted by its associated resilient means.

7. In a control system having a plurality of control devices each of which includes a switch member, resilient means for initially moving said switch member toward closed circuit position, and electromagnetic means energizable in response to said initial movement for operating said switch member to closed circuit position with a snap action, the combination of an operating member movable to a plurality of positions to stress said resilient means and thereby cause operation of said switch members to said closed circuit positions in predetermined sequence, in-

terlocking means responsive to closure of one of said switch members for maintaining another of said switch members in open circuit position against the bias exerted by its associated resilient means, means responsive to closure of a third one of said switch members for suddenly decreasing the energization of the electromagnet associated with said one switch member, whereupon the bias exerted on said other switch member effects closure of said other switch member and operates said interlocking means to open said one switch member against the force exerted by its resilient means, means responsive to movement of said operating member in an opposite direction f or effecting opening movement of said other switch member and said third switch member to release said interlocking means and increase the energization of the electromagnet associated with said one switch member whereupon said one switch member automatically recloses.

JOHN F. TRI'I'LE. 

